Selected Projects from Portfolio

About

My duties over the years have included assisting the Project Manager with project administration, construction documents, and in coordinating with clients, consultants and local government agencies. My abilities entail being able to work on fast paced projects individually and with a team. I also am proficient in CAD and BIM such as Revit, along with Photoshop and Microsoft Office. I am also an experiened illustrator and hand-render.

Elsewhere:

Employment

"Building buildings, while building, lives one day at a day" has been my modus operandi for over a decade. The past few years entail playing an active role in the building industry by doing freelance work, and continuing to build my skill set through professional and technical training. This includes serving as Treasurer for the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects, being involved with the USGBC - Long Beach Chapter and the American Institute of Architects - Los Angeles Chapter, as well as, the University of Southern California’s Architectural Guild. When I am not practicing architecture I teach Special Education and General Education as a Substitute Teacher for Lennox School District. While teaching is very rewarding, there is nothing quite like working in the green building industry.

Oct 2007 - current

American Income Life,
Long Beach, CA, US,
Producer - Life & Health Agent

Helping working families, particularly union members and their loved ones, obtain affordable life and health coverage. We supplement their health and welfare benefits.

Apr 2011 - Sep 2011

City FaBRICK,
Long Beach, CA, US,
Independent Contractor

This intensive four week research project, made possible by a large federal grant, was part of the Long Beach Environmental Technology Field Lab. In it, our team of six - eight people conducted research to further propel the city of Long Beach -- particulary in the 8th and 9th Districts to become more sustainable commuinties. Specifically, we were to create a wlaking loop--enhancing the environmental and ecological space as well as affecting the physical and social moral of the community and it's inhabitants.

• Worked on the Van Tilburg Residence, in Culver City (schematic design). Rendered final submittal for the Design Review Board and constructed working model of “Palazzo Westwood” a mixed use senior citizen apartment near UCLA, which client approved• Helped to establish an ARE study session; a value for the company by increasing the number of licensed architects on staff• Produced Reflected Ceiling Floor plans, made detailed checks of architectural plans for code compliance in Type I, Type III and Type V construction• Experience working on floor plans and electrical plans. Prepare construction documents, code research, and design consulting, as-builts and additions, for a LEED Certified commercial building.

Awards

Alpha Rho Chi Medal Presented by the national architectural social fraternity founded at USC by Professor Verle L. Annis, this medal is awarded to the graduating fifth-year student who demonstrates leadership ability and promise of professional merit through character and attitude and who has performed willing service for the School. http://www.alpharhochi.org

An endowed scholarship memorializing Robert A. Kennard (B.Arch. 1949), who was recognized as the 1991 Distinguished Alumnus. It is awarded to a student in the program, preferably an African-American or other minority, of high academic achievement in architecture and who is active in community service.

The endowed scholarship honors the USC Trustee and architecture alumnus. This award is presented to a fourth-year student and renewed for the fifth year based on academic excellence and financial need.

1997

“The Gift of Love",
1st Place

This Student/Faculty publication of Visual Art work, (three pages of which, contained artwork from senior year in high school), was a collaboration spearheaded by the Department Chair, Joseph Gato. Gato's passion for jewelry making and figure drawing was unparralleled by his love for promoting the talent of the high school students who graced the place of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), along with the talent faculty and staff that nutured them each day.

This full color book gave students and faculty alike the opportunity to have their work--in whatever medium--published. This rigorous training preceded the asetic architecture training at the University of Southern California to follow, over the next five years. Such visual art training sets one apart, during the first year, from others who were not privy to having formal liberal arts education, because hand drawing skills/rendering skills are critical.